I have long held that leaders hold the responsibility for the success of their unit, that they rise and fall based primarily upon how those within their charge perform. Under strong leadership, a unit will prosper, and the Dark Council is no different from any other unit. It is here where our Grand Master shows himself to be a masterful leader, guiding this Dark Council to a year of incredible change and growth.

Shortly after taking office in February, Pravus shook the Brotherhood with a monumental decision. He immediately elevated all of our units to Clans. He made the hard choices, and removed leaders struggling. He gave struggling units like Tarentum and Odan Urr a chance to succeed, and they did. Tarentum, once a House at risk of closure, ponders an expansion to a second House. Odan Urr, once overburdened with novitiates and inactive members, plots a Feud with Plagueis. Both are better because of Pravus and the actions he took.

But Pravus was not done there. He built a plan for the next year, and began to fill it with objectives for his Dark Council, in preparation for the movies. He identified key areas of concern: with our systems, and with our membership experience, and sought to remedy them both. Along the way, he empowered current Dark Councilors to finish long-standing projects, such as the Fiction Society, as Evant describes below. He hired V’yr, and tasked him with rebuilding our website’s graphics design, which had remained unchanged for so many years, the fruits of which we can all enjoy now, with a new logo and new schemes for our different orders.

Central to most of Pravus’ plans were small groups, made up of different members and Dark Councilors, and with whom he frequently communicated. Pravus is never afraid to tell us when we are wrong, or when he thinks we are going in the wrong direction with our projects, which has been invaluable in creating the systems we have today. Every Dark Councilor has had the Grand Master correct our course or refocus our efforts for the better of the club. His guidance has been instrumental in actually seeing projects finished.

He identified that our Order/Path system was too static and too limited for characters and units. Upon reaching Grand Master, he decided we had to evaluate if we could incorporate non Force users. Further, he wanted us to work towards utilizing Orders that were not based solely on Brotherhood lore. These two core guiding principles are what lead to the creation of the Paths and Orders proposal, which now allow units to use greater flexibility in defining themselves, all while giving our membership more options for how to build characters.

Pravus paved a way forwards, directing our club into Disney’s new canon in a way that allows us to fully embrace the excitement of a brand new Star wars story. It was his decision to embrace the new universe, reversing course and abandoning the Legends content in favor of a universe that is ripe with possibilities, as the New Order and Resistance battle it out.

He also charged us with examining the membership experience, concerned both with our struggling membership retention in past years, as well as with our staggering decline in members reaching upper Equite and Elder rankings. To address both, he charged members of the Dark Council with tackling the problem in a variety of ways. We revamped the join process with his guidance, rebuilt the promotion standards, and continue a data-driven approach to identifying problems.

None of of us could really argue the impact that Pravus’ second reign as Grand Master has already had on the Brotherhood. Pravus has been exactly what this Brotherhood needed, and in every way, he is deserving of recognition and this Ruby Scepter. Thank you, Pravus, for all you do!

~Mav

Telaris "Mav" Cantor, 2016-01-01 02:14:46 UTC

Prophet Keirdagh Cantor has served with distinction as both the Consul of Clan Taldryan and as the Dark Jedi Brotherhood's Recruitment Tribune. Yacks has taken our immature social media systems and evolved them into a machine capable of rapidly producing material that is exciting and of interest to the Star Wars community. This work transformed our rarely used Facebook page to a page that now has over 750 likes and is often viewed by hundreds and hundreds of people each day. Beyond this, Yacks has led Taldryan as a grey bearded rock that the Clan can lead upon for guidance and suport.

Yacks, I am sincerely appreciative of your efforts for our club.

Grand Master Declan Roark, 2015-12-26 04:35:53 UTC

The Ruby Scepter is awarded to a select pool of Dark Jedi Brotherhood leaders who have demonstrated a consistent and long term ability to serve as a mentor. It is one of the rarest awards because of the simple subjective nature relating to the term "mentor." How exactly do we define a mentor or an individual who serves in a capacity above all of the other mentors in the club? I think we can take a look at the current Deputy Grand Master and provide an example.

Dark Prophet Telaris "Mav" Taldrya Cantor provides advice, guidance, and direction to his friends, our positioned club leadership, and the Dark Council. Mav accomplishes this in a multitude of ways, but none more important than his ability to set the example for what our senior club leaders should act like. Mav is a is a steady-state operator who provides consistency, normalcy, and a calm head in a digital age where those things are sorely lacking. Mav is the calm in the center of many DB storms and his guidance shines through on countless occasions where emotion could ruin the day.

Mav is also the manager of our entire club's leadership. He is tasked with executing my crazy ideas and timelines, managing each and every Dark Council member, and ensuring that the Clans are operating in a manner that benefits the club. He accomplishes this through constant communication, unwavering dedication, and a consistency that is uncommon among our members.

Personally, Mav is also one of the few members in our club that provides guidance and advice to both the JST and Grand Master. Jac and I are not always the easiest individuals to sway when it comes to decision making, but Mav has had an uncanny ability to help both of us see options that are not only better for our positions within the club, but for the club as a whole.

So, back to the original question. What does a consistent and long term mentor deserving of the RS look like? It looks like a guy who advises the entire club leadership, executes the Grand Master's vision, and guides the Dark Council on 20 high level projects simultaneously. It looks like a guy who has the ability to influence the GM/JST/DC/Club Leaders towards making our club a better place. It looks like Mav :p

Grand Master Sarin/Pravus

Grand Master Declan Roark, 2015-09-09 21:03:58 UTC

Howlader Taldrya is quite simply an example that should be held up for every member of the Brotherhood to emulate. There are few better than him within the entire Brotherhood at taking the most out of what the Dark Brotherhood offers, and the fact that this newfound life came to Howlader over a decade after he had joined, and subsequently abandoned me makes it all the more impressive.

At the end of the day, Howlader has one keen desire: to participate in the Brotherhood. In the company he keeps, there is often an overemphasis on winning, and on victory above all else. For Howlader, this isn’t the case. For Howlader, simply being a member, and participating in things is what he strives for… and the victories seem to follow along with him. It is this seemingly endless, begrudging enthusiasm that makes Howlader not only one of the best members of the Brotherhood, but one of the best Mentors.

Since he was appointed to the position of Rollmaster in Taldryan, Howlader has revolutionized how the position is run within Taldryan. His efforts in passing on his enthusiasm for “doing all the things” has resulted in a complete transformation of the position. Previously tasked with being an overall mentor, Howie has changed it from that limited scope to one where he not only gets to help oversee the education of new members, but directly takes a hand in guiding and mentoring Taldryan’s pool of masters as well.

His work as Rollmaster is often left unsung--buried under the mountains of personal activity--but between his nearly constant lines of communication with our newest and oldest members, and his prodigious administrative abilities, Howlader truly has changed the game. His efforts are one of the major reasons that Taldryan has returned to the prominent position it has once again. His efforts have overseen the elevation of eight Dark Jedi Knights in nine months on the job.

Howlader’s contributions in leadership, general activity, and mentorship mark him as one of the greatest assets that Taldryan, and the Dark Brotherhood have. For these reasons, and many more that my colleagues will be presenting, and even more that nobody can even quantify, I heartily recommend that Howlader Taldrya be presented with the Ruby Sceptre.

Master Keirdagh Taldrya Cantor,

Proconsul and Loyal Son of Clan Taldryan

Keirdagh Taldrya Cantor, 2014-11-24 02:51:27 UTC

The Ruby Scepter is awarded to individuals who provide a high level of consistent and meritorious mentorship throughout the Dark Brotherhood. Mentorship can take the form of improving a House by motivating members to become a competitive unit. Mentorship can take the form of developing proposals and documents in an effort to re-Clan. Mentorship can take the form of creating systems, Shadow Academy Courses, and guides for the creation of a new ACC.

Dark Prophet Halcyon has served a distinguished and nearly unequaled Dark Brotherhood career. Throughout his time in our club he has always provided insight to our members and our club wide projects resulting in the overall betterment of the DJB. Halc’s recent activity serves as another reminder of his dedication and commitment to our club. Halc has served at the House, Clan, and DJB level in various positions, but all with the same endstate in mind. Improve our people and improve our club.

Personally, I have worked with Halc for several years and his consistent commitment has been amazing to watch. He has always taken the time to improve upon DJB level ideas and work towards helping our members enjoy their DJB experience. This has recently manifested in his work with the ACC where he developed a new way for our members to Qualify for the ACC. This new system of Shadow Academy Tests affords Halc the opportunity to directly converse with our members and help them improve upon their writing and their ability to successfully complete in the ACC. Halc furthered these efforts by participating in the editing and creation of multiple ACC documents that have resulted in an overall better experience for our writers.

The Ruby Scepter is awarded for mentorship to members of the Dark Brotherhood. It is a seldom awarded honor and one that is befitting Dark Prophet Halcyon. Thanks for all you do and congratulations! ~GM Pravus

---

Well, uhm where shall I start with this? From all people invited to contribute to Halcyon's Ruby Sceptre, I am the one with the shortest time within Taldryan or the Brotherhood and thus time I have spent knowing Halc. Still for all the time he has been one of the few members always influencing myself and others by helping and mentoring them and myself how the club works and what they can do to contribute their own to make their Clan, House and the Brotherhood a better and, more importantly, more interesting place.

We all know without doubt that Halcon Rokir Taldrya has been such a member, always there, always approachable and always full of advices for those starving for it. But that's long not with it, there are few people in this club who know it better than Halcyon, members who have nearly built up this club to what it is today. Still he doesn't cease at that. Whenever an innovation hits the club, Halcyon is one of the first to adapt to it so he can mentor other members on how to adapt to these innovations as well.

Halcyon did this in the past and continues to do so willingly and all while serving the Brotherhood in varying official leadership positions like for the last six month as Quaestor of Ektrosis of Taldryan and while being one of the most active members of Taldryan at the same time, earning medal after medal and grading numerous Shadow Academy ACC Exams while mentoring his personal Apprentice beyond his Dark Jedi Knight trials to become the next generation of Taldryan's leadership. He does this out of love to this club and more importantly for its members.

Sure, you can say that these traits are something you can expect to see from someone like Halc, but we need to be remanded to never take members like him for granted. Members like Halc are the most important and rarest that we have and we must recognize their dedication and love to the Club in an appropriate manner, and as such I am hereby telling you that Halcyon Rokir Taldrya has proven his capabilities as an Instructor, Inventor and Mentor over and over again and thus earned to be rewarded with a Ruby Sceptre for his service to the members of Taldryan and the Brotherhood.

Halc, for all your mentoring within Clan Taldryan and the Brotherhood, congratulations on this Ruby Sceptre. ~Rian

---

It is hard to discuss the past ten years of the Dark Brotherhood without at some point mentioning Dark Prophet Halcyon Rokir Taldrya. This is a man, who has had his fingerprints on every aspect of Dark Brotherhood life in some way or another. He’s a twice serving Deputy Grand Master, a twice serving Master at Arms, and yet he still seems utterly incapable of riding off into the sunset to hang up his spurs. He is ultimately, a custodian of the Brotherhood’s future, and has proven his commitment to that role time and time again.

Most recently, Halcyon has proven this once more by doing exactly what those of us who know him would expect him to do: stepping up. Six months ago, Taldryan finished the long uphill climb, and returned to Clan status, but despite that triumph, Taldryan still had need of Halcyon and his talents, and Halcyon answered the call.

Since the reclanning, Halcyon has been the face and voice of Ektrosis. His hard work and dedication have ensured that from within it’s ranks, more active and contributing members have risen up and stepped into greater roles. His first official apprentice in years, Aiden Dru, has already risen to the position of Aedile within Ektrosis. Under Halcyon’s steady guiding hand, the next generation of Taldryan’s leadership is starting to emerge, and for this Taldryan is forever grateful.

Despite all of the responsibility and work that comes with the position of being a Quaestor, Halcyon’s own personal contributions to Taldryan and the Dark Brotherhood have not lessened at all. Since his last merit award, Halcyon has participated in over 60 Taldryan and DB wide competitions, placing in nearly one third of those competitions. He’s been an active participant in gaming nights, and trivia nights, and any other number of competition type you can throw at him. Not only is he an active participant in the Brotherhood, he’s also been responsible for creating and hosting over 15 events for other members of the Brotherhood.

Halcyon quite simply put should be used as an example to every member of the Brotherhood, from Grand Master down to Apprentice, on how one can be an active, and contributing member of this club.

Now, the definition of the ruby sceptre states that it is awarded to members of the Brotherhood whose work have touched a wide range of members across all the clans, and they will have contributed significantly in the areas of instruction, invention and mentorship. I can confidently state that Halcyon Taldrya fits into all of those categories. My colleagues will attach their own recommendations that espouse the efforts Halcyon has gone to within the Antei Combat Centre’s rebuild, ensuring that everyone understands and learns about the vast changes within that institution he has helped to rebuild.

But in my opinion, it is his ability to be a leader who has been so instrumental in the maintenance and creation of the Brotherhood we know today, and yet still be one who is constantly pushing the bounds of new competition, and activity design in the Brotherhood that set him apart. Since the adoption of the new forums systems, Halcyon has been one of the most active members on there, being one of a handful to earn a promotion to the second level. Halcyon was also an early adopter and promoted of twitter for the Dark Brotherhood. He’s always been a supporter of the Dark Brotherhood’s facebook page, and will surely be one of the most ardent supporters of every other institution the Brotherhood adopts.

More recently, Halcyon has been working side by side with me in the creation and execution of the Taldryan competition Gathering Darkness. This competition has been designed to test out many new types of competitions, including new forms of co-op fiction and a fully adaptive plot storyline. In the end, it’s just a simple fact that if the Brotherhood offers something? Halcyon goes out of his way to learn it, so he can help others participate in it. That is being a mentor. Halcyon is always looking for the chance to make the Brotherhood, and thankfully Taldryan, a better place for not just himself, but every member in the club.

It is my great honour therefore, to recommend that Halcyon be awarded a Ruby Sceptre for all of his hard work.

Sincerely,

Dark Jedi Master Keirdagh Taldrya Cantor, Proconsul & Proud Son of Clan Taldryan

Halc has been an excellent mentor and teacher in the ACC since he joined our staff in beta. As one of the initial supporters of an exam-based take on qualification, it should come as no surprise that Halc’s efforts have been exemplary when it comes to exam grading. Halc has covered more than a quarter of all ACC Fundamental exams graded, helping keep the turnaround time on those exams extremely low. More than that, though, Halc has been one the most active ACC Judges in one of our most important areas: Grading qualification exams. This exam, with shared judging by all ACC Judges, is one of our primary points of really providing detailed feedback to members on their writing, and it is here that Halc exceeds. Halc has graded more than twenty percent of all ACC qualification exams, with more than thirty exams graded. Halc’s feedback is also superb here, where he highlights the issues members have excellently. Together, his performance as a grader on these two exams makes him the only member of the staff to grade more than twenty percent of both exams.

Beyond that, Halc has been an excellent resource and mentor for me in many ways. His past experiences as Combat Master have been invaluable in our reconstruction of the ACC, and it is this experience on which I have leaned many times for advice on directions to take the ACC and how best to engage and maintain membership activity.

Halc’s work in Taldryan, as detailed by others, along with his excellent record as a mentor in the ACC, make him more than qualified to receive a Ruby Scepter. Congratulations, Halc!

Telaris “Mav” Taldrya Cantor, Combat Master & Aedile of House Dinaari

---

The RS has a focus on honouring those in the Brotherhood who are involved in: “areas of instruction, invention and mentorship,” and Halc is one of those leaders that has fulfilled those criteria in spades. As a leader of Taldryan, Halcydoodle helps develop all of her members, not just those under his command in Ektrosis, this ranges the full gamut - from offering guidance to (and directly training) our newest members, to helping out his ancient clanmates with their latest hair brained schemes. My colleagues have already discussed some of Halc’s leadership statistics, his competitions run and participated in, but not Halc’s personal accomplishments.

Since his last Grand Cross of the Dark Side, Halcycon has earned himself 19 crescents for competition placement (1 Ruby, 4 Amethyst, 6 Sapphire, 3 Emerald, 5 Topaz), 4 Pendants of Blood, 1 Gold Nova, a Seal of Loyalty, of the Master, 12 Scrolls of Indoctrination, and 3 Dark Side Scrolls. To put it bluntly, Halc is active as hell. From my perspective, Halc’s own activities do not solely demonstrate his own activity - but rather, they are examples of his greater leadership and instructional actions. He is the type of leader that mentors and instructs not just through his words, but through his actions - he doesn’t just say “go be active” - he shows his members throughout Taldryan what it means to be active.

Halc’s mentorship of Taldryan’s members also extends to me personally. When I first came to Taldryan, I knew how the DB worked, I knew what it meant to be an administrator, but I did not have a damn clue how to be a member of a Clan - or how to lead people (hell, I probably still don’t). I have seen Halc work on proposals and policy documents from all aspects of the DB (including Taldryan’s own clanning document) - always there to offer a cogent point or a new perspective. I have watched Halc put extraordinary efforts into designing and implementing Taldryan events, such as Gathering Darkness, and I have seen him give a damn about the DB when lesser men would have thrown up their hands in frustration and just said “to hell with it.”

Watching Halcyon as a member and leader Taldryan and the Brotherhood for the past few years has given me a new perspective on what a member and a leader can and should accomplish in this club, and I strive to be more and more like him (except for the green parts) every day. I have learned much from the actions and attitude of Halcydoodle, and I believe if more members of our club attempted to do the same? We would be much better off.

For his mentorship, instruction, and leadership of Taldryan’s members new and old (and the Brotherhood at large), Dark Prophet Halcyon Taldrya must be awarded a Ruby Sceptre.

Signed, the fat Panda

Grand Master Declan Roark, 2014-08-23 02:46:06 UTC

Marick Arconae has served on the new ACC's staff since the projections inception. Marick has served in multiple roles as content creator, administrator, course designer, and guide writer. These roles have been tremendous in their scope and herculean in their effort. Throughout Marick's tireless efforts he has always been driven by the principle of delivering content that enhances and improves the average members experience in the Dark Brotherhood. This began with his work on the creation of character sheet guides, species creation submission sheets, and multiple other projects designed to help our members create character sheets. Marick's efforts as an administrator for the Voice staff saw him approve, remand, and provide content on hundreds of character sheets. He would purposely take the time and effort to provide feedback to members who had their character sheets remanded and would often email them to help walk them through the process. Wally continued his work in the realm of mentorship by developing the ACC Shadow Academy Exams designed to teach our members how to participate in our new story driven ACC. These exams and their new function as qualification tools for the ACC required a level of detail and explanation that few exams can boast. Marick crafted them in a manner to help and improve our club's ability to participate in this avenue of activity. Lastly, Marick has written and designed an multiple guides (CS Guide, CS Approval Guide) relating to the ACC/Character sheets that further clarify any potential misunderstandings our members may have. These guides were written with no direction and guidance and were solely the fruits of Wally's desire to help our membership. Marick is a master mentor in our club with a focus on helping every member to enjoy our organization. An award like the Ruby Scepter was designed for members like him. Congrats! - Grand Master Pravus

Wally has always been my deputy of sorts, but his most important work of late has been as a mentor and teacher for new members working through designing custom Aspects. Wally is incredibly creative and has gotten very good at helping guide and develop member's character sheet Aspects. While he sometimes seems overzealous, he is driven by a desire to help every single member that submits a CS. Wally has added most all of the new races added to the system recently, has been proposing new feats, and has worked tirelessly to see that member concerns are addressed in his CS work. On top of this, he is by far the fastest to clear and approve the character sheets in the Queue.

This same attitude towards mentoring was visible when he originally proposed the two tests for the ACC, the first of which, ACC fundamentals, is used virtually verbatim from his first proposal. He continues to be one of the faster judges over the course of the Open Beta, and he served as one of the small number of Closed Beta testers.

Overall, Wally's strong drive to continually improve the members of this club and to help them understand and enjoy the systems he helps create make him perfect for the Ruby Scepter... So congratulations, Wally! ~ Mav

Grand Master Declan Roark, 2014-05-08 14:07:07 UTC

The Ruby Scepter is an award given to the greatest of mentors of the Brotherhood and I can think of no greater mentor in modern memory than Sang.

Sang is a serial master, having guided three members through to the conclusion of their trials (Inarya, Kalon and Anigrel) and I'm sure still aids these students to this day.

But his mentor-ship is not limited to just new members within his own clan. Sang is also a Professor of the Shadow Academy where he overseas the Department of Lore Studies. His grading turnaround time is among the fastest, if not the fastest, of all graders. This ensures students get their results in an impressively fast time, often times meaning newer members get to their next promotion that much sooner.

Sang, thanks for all the work you do for the Dark Brotherhood.

Master Windos, 2013-12-05 07:22:42 UTC

Ood has just graded his 1000th exam.

1000.

That number is crazy. I can imagine that Ood is the first and only person to achieve this milestone.

1000 exams and he is still passionate about the Shadow Academy. He hasn't developed the cynicism that is all too common among "grizzled veterans."

Ood is nearing the end of his 7th year of total, combined, active service to the Shadow Academy, having served as the Eclectic Pedagog of Sith Tactics, Eclectic Pedagog of Pre-Republic History, Professor of Philosophy and now Professor of CORE Studies.

During all of the time he has looked after courses in various capacities, he has always sought to improve his courses. Everything from spelling and general quality checks to complete re-writes when needed.

Not only has Ood served as a Professor of two different departments, he was also THE first Professor. His appointment occurred at least two months before any of his future counterparts. For those two months he beta tested the new system (prior to this, every course was assigned an EP, afterwards courses were grouped together under one Professor). It was thanks to Ood's diligent testing and close work with Muz and Taig that the Professor system saw the light of day, much to the benefit of the Academy and her students.

Ood is always willing to assist his student, taking the time to point them to where they strayed in their exams and even emailing them after grading with further information. Given his department, he is the one Professor that interacts with EVERY new comer to the Brotherhood. His mentorship, I'm sure, has played a large part in a number of Apprentices' early careers.

His grading is timely, often taking well short of 24 hours between submission and graded exam. If it were an option to not sleep, I am sure Ood would be willing to grade every exam as soon as it came in.

Since I started as Headmaster, Ood has taken on the task of updating all of the Shadow Academy courses currently on offer. He has managed the taking on of an assistant and has completed two departments so far. He works quickly and efficiently and always with the student as his number one priority.

He has also been a great asset in writing and checking Grind Path courses which will greatly assist future new comers to the Brotherhood.

Ood, you're a great asset to the Shadow Academy and a truly believe that it wouldn't be what it is today, and what it will be tomorrow, without you.

~ Epis Solari, Headmaster

---

<BOW>

One thousand exams, three and a half years of service to the Shadow Academy, Ood has arguably done more for the Shadow Academy that any Headmaster ever.

Numbers aside, Ood still, after all this time and exams, respects his position. Back in January, I took the DB Basics exam (I hadn't, it was there, let's do this). Even though it was just another DB Basics exam--an exam he's graded literally hundreds of times--Ood gave me a complete and thorough reply within 24 hours. Not just a "[Score]. Well done." like most other professors, but a detailed response: "You missed these questions for these reasons. You passed, but you have room for improvement." (Not an exact quote, but the sentiment is the same.) I didn't take the exam seriously, but Ood did. After the hundreds he's graded, knowing a DJM did not put any effort into the DB Basics exam, he did not go through the motions, he graded the exam as though it was the first exam submitted to him.

One thousand exams, three and a half years of service to the Shadow Academy, and he remains respectful and diligent. I fully support the recommendation of a Ruby Scepter for Ood Bnar.

<BOW>

~ Dark Jedi Master Troutrooper, Special Magistrate to the Headmaster

---

Ood has been a bastion of activity for as long as I've known him... and I've known him for 5 years. I've seen the guy consistently help our new and younger members to integrate into the Brotherhood and learn about the ropes. The guy is a producer for the Brotherhood, as well as a teacher. He is currently undertaking a massive rewriting of the departments that make up the Shadow Academy and has pretty much been a part of the SA for the five years that I've known him. He teaches me new things and also helps me to improve on helping others.

Ood has been a boon to the Brotherhood and thoroughly deserves this Ruby Sceptre. Congratulations, Ood. You're a legend, mate.

~ Exarch Sanguinius Tsucyra Entar, Quaestor of House Galeres.

Master Windos, 2013-04-23 01:29:21 UTC

The Brotherhood without Dash is inconceivable. They are inseparable. They are one.

Teroch, Sashar, Dash, Rufio, whatever you want to call this man, he has remained a stalwart member of this club for longer than I care to imagine. A bastion of activity and dedication, Dash has served to train up some of the best members in the Brotherhood. He has guided, he has nurtured, he has fathered. I think that is the best way to describe him: a father. A shining light in the darkness. Someone to whom one can always turn. Someone who will always offer advice and friendship in times of need. Someone who will demonstrate unfaltering loyalty to his cause, and drive every ounce of his ability into seeing it through to its end. I turn to him for counsel; I know many of my summit do also. And he has gone overlooked for as long as I care to remember. This upsets me.

As a member of Arcona, Dash showed himself to be a part of the Clan's very foundation. He proved his worth time and time again. Whether it was helping the newer members find their feet, or whether it was helping me find mine upon my ascension to Consulship, he treated everyone the same, and he gave everyone the time they deserved. I think this is demonstrable in his extremely impressive student list, which boasts two Obelisk Templars, two Obelisk Prelates, one Sith Warlord, and one Dark Jedi Knight. To see one student through to DJK is seen as an achievement in the Brotherhood. To see one student through to the Equites is commendable. To see five students into such a bracket is nothing short of astounding. And, in absolute honesty, I see his success in his role as a mentor resulting from the time he gives each of his members, and the dedication he himself puts in to understanding, learning about, and fundamentally knowing his students. I am proud to call myself one of his unofficial students. As is Marick. As is Socorra. As is Celahir. The point is, he is extraordinary. Not in one facet of the Brotherhood, as many are, but as a person, as a member, as a mentor, as a guide. Of course, his talents speak for themselves. He is a polymath. But his true, innate skill rests with what I previously called 'fatherhood'.

This skill filtered outside of Arcona, also. Indeed, his position as Combat Master served to reify his position as a mentor. He was the first port of call for all aspiring combatants. He was the figurehead of the Antei Combat Centre, and he was to ensure that all participants were trained and held to the same standard. Whether that was grading the ACC Basics exam, whether that was putting members through qualification (or, in some cases re-qualification), or whether that was giving judges rigorous tests and training exercises in order to prepare them as judges of the Combat Centre, Dash did not fail to deliver. I can testify to many, many hours Dash has spent guiding aspiring judges. Many more have been spent helping aspiring combatants.

It is fair to say that Dash is a pillar of our community. He served Arcona for many, many years. He served Arconans for many, many years. He served the Arconae for many, many years. He served the Brotherhood for many, many years. His thirteen-month tenure as Combat Master was the icing on the cake.

On the Brotherhood Wikipedia, it states that: "To see one possess the Ruby Scepter is to know that this member is one of the great mentors of the Brotherhood. Their work will have touched a wide range of others within the Dark Brotherhood as they will have contributed significantly in the areas of instruction, invention and mentorship." There is no one I can think of whom embodies this more than Dash. His work with the membership has been consistently extraordinary. Leaders, official students, unofficial students, judges, magistrates, combatants. All of these people have been touched by Dash's influence. I dare say that his true legacy extends throughout the Brotherhood, and that there not one unit that has not felt his influence.

The firelight ruby used within the scepter is a jewel of Antei. And I feel that is an appropriate reward for one of the jewels of our Brotherhood.

Well done, Jon. You've more than earned it. ~Wuntila Arconae, Consul of Arcona

A member like Dash is hard to come by and I have certainly never met anyone like him. As a mentor, I owe him almost everything - he was the person who convinced me to give the Brotherhood a shot, the one who helped me create my character (that 3 years later I still love and enjoy writing). He was the one to first pushed me into going for a Battleteam leader roll, and the one who inspired me to hopefully one day reach his level of cunning, creativity, and poise as a leader. I watched him handle situations without blinking - situations I thought would tear the very fibers of Arcona and the Brotherhood apart. He would just stand there, think for a minute and then launch into doing what ever was unnecessary to solve the problem. What he has given for Arcona will never truly be weighed on a scale or accurately represented. If you cut him with a knife, the man bleeds Arcona. He had done a lot of things that have put him at odds with many, many members. In fact there will be plenty of people reading these recommendations with their eyes perpetually rolling. You don't help build a Clan from the bottom of the barrel to to the top without making a few enemies. Polarizing would be the best way to describe it, I suppose. Regardless, It will stand before every single member of the Brotherhood right here and right now and lay down that Dash cares and has given more to the Brotherhood as a whole than a non-DCer has right to. He has served thanklessly as Korras' right hand, all while keeping the ACC running and operating at full capacity for an entire year. Despite being hated by countless members of the club, he has stood tall and worked tirelessly to help the MAA staff process awards and medals in a timely and effective manner. He helped effectively train almost half of the current Arconan Summit, the foundaiton upon which Arcona sits as First Clan of the Brotherhood.

For everything you have done in your long career, the sacrifices you've made, the people you've helped, and the things left done unseen in the background, it gives me no greater honor than to lend my voice to your Ruby Scepter. Thank you for everything, Sarge. -Marick Arconae, Proconsul of Arcona

The men above speak volumes about how Dash has impacted Arcona. There's something to be said there about how his influence has taken Arcona and built it up with his strength, crafting a powerhouse that leads the Brotherhood, not only in Vendetta but also in example. He has, as Marick says 'Bled Arcona'. This could be contrasted against his sudden departure from Combat Master, or his abrupt exodus from his home clan of Arcona. But what happened outside of Arcona is what I am here to talk about. He has served on the Master-at-Arm's staff under Korras, working in one of those jobs that gets very little attention or accolade. His term as Combat Master has seen stability and the work on new character sheets as a small community effort was enjoyable and challenging. A few months back, Dash left his home in Arcona. Some might say that it was to escape politics or to strike a blow against some in the clan in some passive aggressive display. That wasn't it. Dash, having two positions on the Dark Summit, knew that with Arcona triumphant, could start to link the success of the clan with some sort of bias on his part. That his presence would stifle the growth and development of Arconan leaders. He knew when to peel back, to cut the apron strings. That ability to know when to let go is difficult, at best. To still be there for advice, but to let them make their own mistakes. Arcona is more Dash's child than it ever was Mejas's, Nighthawk's or Donitz's. This last year has proven that in my mind. His retirement from COmbat Master has a similar motive. The climate in the ACC is changing, and he knew that with the long sense of tradition he had built, that those needed changes would be stymied by the overarching sense of stability he had toiled to instill. He knew that it was time to step back, but we all know that he'll never be out. He'll continue to offer his help, his advice. A big part of mentorship is knowing when to back away. He has used his influence to try to help new members figure out how and when to promote and award their members. He has worked to try to improve the Combat Centre. He has used his experience to try to improve the Brotherhood in many aspects. An award for his mentorship is more than warranted, even necessary to show that we do appreciate his efforts. Thank you, Dash. ~Muz Ashen, Dark Lord of the Sith.

Lord Muz Ashen Keibatsu, 2013-01-09 13:32:48 UTC

Grand Master Ashen has led the Dark Brotherhood through four years of steady, innovative, and successful leadership culminating in the recent completion of the club wide vendetta, Horizons. Throughout Muz's reign, his calming influence has benefited the Dark Brotherhood and resulted in an organization that is vastly superior to those that operated under his predecessors. Utilizing an execution focus, solution oriented, team player approach, Muz has brought an entire new generation of leaders to the forefront of the Dark Brotherhood. Focused on developing new leaders to take our club into the future, Muz has assured the Dark Brotherhood's continued success. On behalf of the Star Chamber, the Dark Council, and the members of the Dark Brotherhood, it is my honor to request the Ruby Scepter be awarded to Muz Ashen.

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GM Sarin Star Chamber

This won't be long and over-wrought, because that's really not my style. However, it is tremendously clear that Muz deserves a Ruby Scepter. It states clearly that the RS is for those who "contributed significantly in the areas of instruction, invention and mentorship. Instruction and mentorship go nearly hand-in-hand. Although we don't generally point to families when making any type of recommendation, one can look at all those with the name of Keibatsu and know that each and every one of them had been molded, either wholly or in part, by Muz. The members in that family are both talented and have given much to the DB as a whole. Going beyond that, the very fact of being a leader means that one of your primary jobs is mentoring those below you in some fashion or another. Muz has been GM for nearly 4 years and on the DC as a whole for much longer. One cannot even fathom the amount of people he has had to help in some fashion over the years. As for invention...well, Muz was a driving force in the creation of the lightsaber and hand-to-hand guides, which provide us with a foundation for martial RPing in the club. It is also his standards that we use in the creation of our lightsabers, warbanners and robes. The plot of the DB has come from his hand, with nearly all of the fiction derived by him. His "inventions" will live on long after even he is no longer active in the club. This award is more than deserving and has been long overdue. Congratulations!

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DP Halcyon Rokir Taldrya Deputy Grand Master

The Grand Master has managed in his several years to play around with various concepts and ideas in order to keep the Brotherhood's time-honored traditions from become stale and rehashed. The success of the recent Horizons vendetta only serves to solidify that legacy. His work in providing these innovative, fresh, and interesting competitions has helped maintain the liveliness of our institution and keeps the membership coming back for more. Furthermore, I can speak from personal experience when I say that Muz uses his wisdom and creativity to aid his Councilors in doing the same. He teaches and guides, providing a steady hand of mentorship to all who ask for it. Its has been, and continues to be, my honor to work with him in these endeavors. Congratulations and thank you to Lord Ashen.

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His Excellency, the Voice of the Brotherhood Vodo Biask Taldrya

Having served on the Dark Council for a few years, Muz has been one of my greatest sources in my development as a Dark Councilor. Whether it be dealing with minor issues in regards to graphic design or determining an action as a leader, his calm composure and logical reasoning has helped me numerous times from making sever mistakes. Recently, he has been focused on developing interesting and exciting ideas that would not only encourage more activity from the Brotherhood but to go beyond the usual storylines that have been recycled in vendettas past. Working alongside him in ensuring that we create a solid storyline for the Brotherhood as well as provide quick and accurate results to the satisfaction of the entire Brotherhood. For providing guidance to his fellow Dark Councilors, working to develop intriguing events for the entertainment of the club, and strong management to ensure satisfaction of results, I would like to recommend Grand Master Muz Ashen for his Ruby Scepter and complete his award weapon collection. About time, Brohim!

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DA Shikyo Sasuke Keibatsu Herald of the Dark Jedi Brotherhood

I've known about the specifics of Horizon since the end of the last War, being brought up to speed later on. The sheer amount of mental and financial stress that was put on Muz through this time would burn any other member out, but he does these events once or twice a year. I cannot begin to explain the importance of these Vendettas and their impact on the Brotherhood at large. For his consistent leadership and wisdom, it is my honor to aid in the recommendation of this Ruby Sceptre. Congrats.

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Taigikori Dupar Justicar of the Brotherhood

Muz has always been consistent in his delivery of solid, perhaps superb vendettas. Starting from Spoils of War, trekking on with Disorder, and packing a wallop with The Tenth Great Jedi War, Muz has not slowed down in his vision and invention of vendettas in terms of story, competition, and structure. Horizons was a damn good romp as far as vendettas go, and it went, for the most part, extremely smoothly.

Muz maintained a steadfast presence and steadiness as Grand Master, a skill he has proved over and over that he has while running the Brotherhood. I myself had a blast and I know that others enjoyed it just as equally. His persistent tracking of grading and graders, his efficient delivery of results, and his constant management abilities really made this vendetta one of the best. That's pretty much what a mentor and leader has to do - be constant, and be efficient. So enjoy your shiny scepter, buddy - you earned it.

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Ronovi Tavisaen Dupar Headmaster of the Shadow Academy

Muz over the last several years has been a mentor to many of us on the Dark Council. Whether it be a QUA who just started and lasts only a couple months or a Dark Councilor who's been there for several years, Muz gives advice to those that seek it. When I first started there was several days were I requested assistance on how to proceed with certain members or new policies. Over the last year, I've watched him switch his focus onto helping the Clouse leaders, making sure that their houses remained strong and could survive awol checks and have great participation in vendettas. Without that assistance and mentoring I'm sure several of the houses would have crumbled and been dissolved already. With Horizons he put leadership to the test. He wanted leaders to motivate their people and get them into the vendetta. This way units could get more participation numbers, and for those that are still houses, look good enough to be clanned. In some cases it worked, some it didn't. In the end though, Muz is working on being GM for four years now, and isn't slowing up any time soon nor not being around to help anyone out. Thanks for a good vendetta and being a mentor to all of us Muz. Congrats on your Ruby Sceptor!

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OPM Fremoc Pepoi Fist of the Brotherhood

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GM Darth Pravus

Muz has done a lot of good to this club over the past years, and has trained up a lot of new leaders over the years as GM. Under his leadership, a whole generation of new leaders has stepped up. Add to that the various major events he ran, and the capability to remain sane even with the amount of inane requests sometimes received. All in all, I firmly believe Muz deserves this reward. Now, let there be booze!
~Korras, Master at Arms.

Darth Aeternus, 2012-11-01 22:00:32 UTC